OK it's been so long since I've posted I don't even know if anyone is reading this anymore...

But here I am at home in Virginia and I feel like I should probably find a way to wrap up this here web journal. Who knows who will read it in months and years to come as they think about going to Mongolia or learning about it...I'd hate for them to think I posted twice from China and then dropped off the face of the earth on my way home.

So like I said, I'm here. My travels through China and Spain were interesting and relaxing (but tiring at the same time!). The meandering route proved to be a great way to wind down between finishing up Peace Corps and arriving back in the thick of American culture. I hiked the Great Wall and slept in the grass outside ancient walls. I wandered the narrow residential streets of Barcelona and popped into espresso shops for afternoon coffee. I ate quiche in Placa de John Lennon very near my friend Margaret's apartment in Barcelona and I stretched out by the Mediterranean at Sitges.

And finally I found myself on a plane bound for Virginia. Before that actually it was a plane to Chicago and then a transfer to a standby flight to Dulles. That turned out to be interesting because I ran into my old college friend Rebecca at the gate and we ended up sitting next to each other for this final stretch of my journey home.

I can tell you there are few feelings in the world better than finding you have an old friend to catch up with during the final two hours of a 2 year absence from home.

There is so much to write and not all of it will come out tonight...I suspect I might post a few more times yet on this blog about readjustment and reverse culture shock and the idiosyncrasies of trying to fit in again in one's own life.

But for now let me just say I am happy to be home and I feel warmed in my heart when in the presence of my friends and family. Of course I miss Mongolia and it is with me in my thoughts always.

I look forward to sharing the stories in the coming months.